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World Cup 2014: 10 breakout stars of the tournament

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Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring his side's first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Every World Cup produces new stars. Maybe some were already household names in their home country, while others were unknown even there. Here are 10 players and one coach who have stepped onto the international stage and made their names known to the world at large:

1. James Rodriguez, attacking midfielder, Colombia

The 22-year-old Colombian isn't exactly unknown, having made a huge $61 million move to AS Monaco in the French league a year ago. It's just that nobody was putting him in the conversation as best player in the world until this World Cup. Rodriguez leads all players with six goals scored in this World Cup, and he could walk off with the Golden Boot despite his team going out in the quarterfinals.

Ochoa is a free agent after leaving tiny French club AC Ajaccio, and he picked a good time for it. His remarkable goalkeeping display against Brazil grabbed everyone's attention, and he played so well that he may have been the best goalkeeper in a World Cup in which another goalkeeper (USA's Tim Howard) broke the tournament record for most saves in a game. A move to a big European club awaits.

3. Matt Besler, center back, United States

Besler drew raves for his solid defensive work at center back. He isn't the fastest, biggest, or most technically adept. Besler simply reads the game so quickly that he puts himself in position to make plays. One rough play against Belgium's Romelu Lukaku won't dampen that, either. The Sporting Kansas City captain, who grew up in the Kansas City area, has drawn a lot of interest from European clubs. After turning down a few offers last year, the 27-year-old faces the choice: Be a soccer icon in his hometown, or make a big move abroad, as his club team is already fielding offers.

Navas conceded a tourney-low two goals in five matches and saved an astounding 91 percent of the shots he faced. In his final game, against the Netherlands, he put on a master course in regulation, stopping shot after shot to hold his team level. Navas was no stranger to Spanish fans after leading La Liga in saves and save percentage. Look for him to be in high demand this offseason, with Atletico Madrid perhaps swooping in for his signature.

5. Divock Origi, striker, Belgium

Origi wasn't on most people's radar prior to this tourney. At 19 years old, he had only just broken into the regular lineup for his French club, LOSC Lille, and his five goals in 30 matches didn't exactly draw the world's attention. He then scored his first international goal against Algeria and played well enough to push highly regarded Romelu Lukaku out of Belgium's starting lineup.

Shaqiri has more great nicknames than anyone you've met. Some call him the "Alpine Messi," while others call him the "Magic Dwarf" or "Power Cube." Whatever you call this ethnic Kosovar Albanian who grew up in Switzerland, you might as well call him rich, because his hat trick against Honduras and generally good play will earn him a big contract either with his current squad, German giants Bayern Munich, or a new team like Liverpool in England.

7. Memphis Depay, winger, Netherlands

Depay is the Netherlands' only regular starting attacker under age 30, so it's a good thing for his team's future that he has been playing the best ball of his 20-year-old life. He scored the game-winner against Australia and has two goals and an assist during the tourney. After a strong first season as a regular starter with PSV Einhoven in the Netherlands, bigger things appear to be in store for Depay.

8. Blaise Matuidi, center midfielder, France

The French have a lot of big names, but Matuidi historically hasn't been one of them. He has never played outside his country, although he now plays for big money club Paris St. Germain, but outsiders know him now. He effectively bossed the French midfield and, at age 27, appears to be hitting his prime.

9. Marcos Rojo, left back/center back, Argentina

The 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon defender has arguably been Argentina's best player on the back line in this tournament. And then he has made plays like this ridiculous clearance below. Several top European teams have been eyeing him since he began turning heads in the World Cup.

United States' DeAndre Yedlin, left, challenges Belgium's Eden Hazard during their World Cup second round match. Yedlin, who plays for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders, was one of the surprise impact players in the World Cup. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)Matt Dunham

10. DeAndre Yedlin, right back, United States

This is an American audience, so we'll give you two Americans. Yedlin startled his European opponents in this World Cup, outpacing them as the fastest man on the field in every match he played. Against Belgium, Yedlin was easily the best U.S. attacking threat. His defense needs some work, but you can teach that. You can't teach speed. The 20-year-old Seattle Sounder will almost certainly draw interest from Europe.

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica

Costa Rica was the quarterfinalist nobody expected. They were also the group winner nobody expected, outpacing former world champs Italy, England and Uruguay to advance. They have no big-name stars, although goalkeeper Keylor Navas may be on his way. What they have is Pinto, an intellectual with a sports science degree from Cologne University who never played professionally. He has drilled a disciplined team that plays far better than the individual talent level of its players.